Overview

• California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii, as the West Coast Health Alliance, recommended COVID-19 shots for all who choose protection, specifically including children 6–23 months and pregnant people, while keeping flu and RSV guidance consistent with prior CDC advice.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB144 to let California set immunization guidance based on groups such as AAP, ACOG and AAFP and to require state-regulated plans and Medi-Cal to cover endorsed vaccines, with pharmacists authorized to prescribe and administer them.
• Seven Northeastern states — New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island — plus New York City formed the Northeast Public Health Collaborative and issued recommendations that include vaccinating infants and adults, with optional COVID-19 shots for healthy ages 2–18.
• The state actions respond to late-August FDA approvals that limited updated COVID-19 vaccines to people 65 and older or those with qualifying conditions, after HHS withdrew federal recommendations for healthy children and pregnant people.
• Major insurers pledged to keep covering vaccines that were ACIP-recommended as of Sept. 1 through 2026, yet coverage for some federally regulated plans and the implications of ACIP votes this week remain uncertain as former CDC director Susan Monarez alleges political pressure in recent testimony.